The Dorr Township Planning Commission has learned that the northeast section of the township is being prepared for a sustainable business park.
Chairman Bob Wagner said he has been notified that crews from Allegan County and Kent County will be collaborating on a project to establish the park near 146th Avenue and the Allegan-Kent County line. The park is expected to provide relief for the Kent County landfill that is nearing capacity.
Lori Castello, township zoning administrator, said it’s her understanding the business park will seek a planned unit development (PUD) designation in the next several months.
Darwin Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, outlines the “Reimagine Trash” project to the Planning Commission a couple of years ago. He said the strategic plan is to reduce solid waste taken to landfills by 20 percent by the end of the year 2020 and as much as 90 percent by 2030.
“We need to change waste reduction from a linear to circular approach,” he said in 2018.
He said a committed group of stakeholders, including Dorr Township Supervisor Jeff Miling, has been working on diverting waste and turning the landfill into a “sustainable business park” that takes in 250 acres. He introduced several business partners and sponsors in the project.
“We must change the trajectory for how we manage solid waste in West Michigan,” he said. Otherwise, the landfill in Kent County will be full by 2030.”
Once that landfill in Byron Township, which is used by Allegan County residents, can no longer operate, the trash and garbage will have to be handled by a site just across the county line in Dorr Township.
Baas said, “Seventy-five percent of what we’re putting into landfills today can be repurposed.”
In other business at Tuesday night’s meeting, the commission:
- Postponed a decision on a request for a special use permit from Jordan Notenbaum to build a private road on Noah Drive near 12th Street north of 144th Avenue. Commissioners insist on more information is needed from the County Drain Commission and Road Commission about potential water issues and they want to know whether site contains wetlands.
- Adopted zoning ordinance amendments for area regulations on accessory buildings, rural estates, agricultural districts and rural agricultural districts.
If I remember correctly back in the very beginning stage. There was mention of many meetings to hear public input.
What happened?
I know I was and probably still the only one who has voiced opposition to this project. There are/ were just to many unanswered questions .
If the world will end in 9 years according to “the Science” that we must, must believe why brother? Or are the folks in Kent County science deniers?
We will be here in 9 years even with the carbon emissions in the world going up by at least 12% and not being cut by the minimum 25% we must cut to save the world according to AOC, Vice President Biden, the UN and the climate industry.
The project will bring jobs and tax income from the commercial side of this project none from the Kent County side but overall a plus.
Mr Traxler
Have they figured out how all the rain water now absorbed by the current undeveloped properties which will flow into that small drain that finds its way just north of 142nd will handle all that additional runoff from parking lots and buildings?
Who will pay for the road improvements needed for the added truck traffic?
How much pollution/smell will be added to those East of U.S.-131?
What will the additional cost be for recycling/garbage services in Dorr Township and Allegan County for this project?
What about the nesting habit of that bat that is on the endangered species list that nests in the wooded area bordering the west side of US-131?
What happens if this project fails… will that property just become another landfill, or will the buildings be sold for possible other businesses opportunities?
What will happen to land values that are currently not developed but had the potential for residential development?
If I remember correctly this is just speculation that the reclaimed materials will have buyers…I do think China no longer takes our recycled materials.
I am hesitant to believe the job aspect will benefit Dorr Township. Are they only going to hire workers from Dorr to work there? Of course not.
The amount of tax dollars Dorr Township will receive will be minimal compared to that property being used for individual businesses and residential development on its west boundaries. If memory serves me right, there will be approximately three to four buildings on the Allegan side.
There is not much Dorr Township residents can do at this time since it looks like the deal is complete.
One has to give Kent County credit they basically had Allegan County over the proverbial barrel. Since it is only the most northern part of the county whose refuse goes to Kent County the rest of the county uses Kalamazoo and Allegan’s obsolete site.
I doubt we will see our refuse prices go down or the supposed increase in commercial tax revenue. Since our current commercial/business property taxes are extremely high for our local businesses/industries. Which many operate with only sewer and no water.
Is this project going to have sewer and water if so who will provide it? I hesitate to believe those plants will use well water and septic systems.
These questions may not seem important to many, but there should be some answers to them.
With the promise of jobs and property tax revenue. It appears the ” New Green Deal ” has a foothold in Dorr Township
Mr. Smit,
Harry,
A good portion of the complex will be leased to private business that will pay taxes and hire local folks. We in Dorr have no say in this as it is a government facility like it or not it is coming.
Mr. Traxler
I understand it can’t be stopped at this point…but my point being. How many of my questions were answered and who will incur the cost involved to correct them.
Yes, it’s a fact if something is determined to be a government facility. Whether it is good for the community or not it will happen.
I am pleased you said that, because in 2018 I was told there was no way I could ever organize opposition to project.
Thank you for responding.
Mr Smit:
I can, I believe, speak to the paving of roads as I had the opportunity to sit in recently on a road committee meeting. I believe that the remainder of 14th street will be paved entirely at the cost of the developers who are developing this property. I also believe that portions of 146th avenue will be included in that project at the cost of the developers.
In my own personal opinion, I’m not sure, as you stated, who would really want to put a housing development right next to a landfill. Seems like a poor decision for many reasons including the obvious potential for smells. Just my 2 cents.